Denmark’s New Law Lets You Copyright Your Face to Stop AI Deepfakes

In a groundbreaking move against AI-generated deepfakes, the Danish government is proposing a face copyright law that could be the first of its kind in Europe. The new regulation redefines copyright to protect an individual’s body, facial features, and voice. It aims to combat rising cases of identity theft through AI. But, there are more possible implications that make me hope this law gets passed across Europe.

“In the bill we agree and are sending an unequivocal message that everybody has the right to their own body, their own voice and their own facial features, which is apparently not how the current law is protecting people against generative AI, Denmark’s culture minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt told The Guardian.

This legislative shift comes in response to the explosive growth of deepfake technology. AI tools have been mimicking real people more and more often, and with alarming accuracy. The bill defines a deepfake as “a very realistic digital representation of a person, including their appearance and voice.”

Why This Law Matters

The urgency behind Denmark’s new law is clear. Around the world, AI-generated abuse is escalating. While some deepfakes are kinda fun (or downright hilarious), many of them are harmful in different ways. In the U.S., a man is facing 70 years in prison after possessing over 13,000 CSAM deepfake images. In another case, teens were arrested for creating nude deepfakes of classmates.

Even celebrities aren’t safe. For example, Jenna Ortega was a victim of a deepfake nude app, which brazenly ran ads on Meta platforms. Scarlett Johansson and Tom Hanks had their faces appear in ads. And no, they didn’t film them, but someone simply deepfaked their faces.

A Clear Message: Consent Is Non-Negotiable

The proposed Denmark face copyright law grants citizens the legal right to demand takedowns of unauthorized deepfakes. Platforms sharing “realistic, digitally generated imitations” of people, especially artists, without consent could face severe fines or even EU Commission involvement.

Engel-Schmidt said that, if tech platforms don’t respond accordingly to the new law, there are “severe fines” ahead. What’s more, it could become a matter for the European Commission. “That is why I believe the tech platforms will take this very seriously indeed,” he added. He also hopes Denmark’s EU presidency in 2025 will serve as a platform to export the idea across Europe.

“Human beings can be run through the digital copy machine and be misused for all sorts of purposes and I’m not willing to accept that,” said Engel-Schmidt. However, it’s important to note that the new law will not affect parodies and satire. They will still be permitted without repercussions.

A Necessary Step

As AI grows more powerful, laws like this are no longer optional. I think they’re essential for personal safety and digital integrity. Denmark’s face copyright law is bold, forward-thinking, and timely. In fact, maybe it’s even a bit overdue. Denmark has set a precedent and I suggest the rest of Europe and the world to watch and learn.

[via The Guardian]

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